Another reason to run straight pipes IMO - make sure they hear ya comin'!

I'll second the loud pipe debate. Since putting on a set of Vance & Hines Big Radius pipes 3 years ago i havn't had any "close calls" from wildlife or half blind/deaf cage drivers since. Only problem now is trying to sneek thru urban areas quietly enough to not get a noise ticket with the new laws just past 2years ago.

No moose here either, but I'll be danged if some elderly lady wouldn't pull out in front of me and kill me dead. I miss riding something fierce, but until my family just won't need me (which is most likely a long way out), I've resolved to not riding.

The thing that really bugs me about my decision not to ride is this:

I run almost every day, and it wouldn't take but a texting teen to meander off the road and flatten me. It's thoughts like that, that make me say, heck with it, just ride and pray.

Man, I really miss owning and riding motorcycles. Today reinforced why I do not own one up here. I came into work and saw the result of a motorcycle versus moose. I think I will stick to my Jeep

I could do a web search and find many ugly photos of Jeep and/or car collisions with a multitude of objects. Would seeing these horrific images make you give up driving a car? Most likely not. Sure, an automobile provides more protection in the event of an accident, but the risk of serious injury or death remains. Such is life on this planet. Any speed above a walking pace increases the chance of injury. Sh*t happens, even to the most cautious.

I've ridden now for over 40 years. I'm a charter life member of the American Motorcyclist Association (25 years). I've crossed the U.S. several times without incident. Lucky? Perhaps. Skilled? Definitely. I've survived a few spills over the years, mostly my fault, and I've avoided many scrapes by knowing what to do instinctively (counter-steering, front brake usage, etc.). Practice, practice, practice. Oh, and always ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time). Will I have another accident? Unknown. But I will use every ounce of my skill to avoid one.

If fear is keeping you from taking up riding again, you are probably wise to stay on four wheels. Motorcycling is definitely NOT for everybody.

By the way, contrary to popular belief, loud pipes really don't save lives, they merely annoy politicians and the general public. You will eventually install quieter mufflers on your bike, or the government will force you to do it. Several cities and states require EPA compliant exhausts. Here in the city of Denver, if no EPA stamping on the muffler is visible (i.e. factory exhaust) an immediate $500 fine is issued. The police don't even have to hear it, just the stamping is required. The law is draconian for sure, but Denver is getting much quieter as a result.

To all my fellow riders out there - Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up. And watch out for the other guy. Or moose, for that matter.

Financial strife once caused me to sell my last motorcycle, after having had two in the garage for nearly ten years. It would be almost five years before I was able to purchase my next motorcycle. I don't ever want to live in that hell again...

Rode thru northern Maine at night a few years ago on the way to Nova Scotia. Won't do that again. Saw as many moose as vehicles.

Tried the loud pipe thing many years ago, bothered me more than anything, or anybody else. Besides, except in the city, 90% of the noise is behind you. Nothing worse than riding a couple thousand miles behind someone with loud pipes.

I live in a larger metro area too, I just don't ride local. Mostly long distance touring, several times a year.

We have no moose to worry about here in Maryland, just cages....a 48 yr old woman was t-boned on Monday evening, no helmet (riding in PA, five miles away), DOA.

We here in PA refer to that as the PA Organ Donor program. Don't mean to sound callous, but put a damn helmet on.

I wear a full face helmet at all times. For my own sake and also to set a good example for my daughter who wants to ride her own motorcycle someday. I have been riding for many years and have seen enough to know that a helmet, particularly a race based full face helmet, makes a very big difference in the severity of injuries in many if not most accidents. I also believe in leather jackets with reinforcements, gloves and boots. The helmet won't do anything for your feet so leave the flip flops at home.

We have no moose to worry about here in Maryland, just cages....a 48 yr old woman was t-boned on Monday evening, no helmet (riding in PA, five miles away), DOA.

We here in PA refer to that as the PA Organ Donor program. Don't mean to sound callous, but put a damn helmet on.

I wear a full face helmet at all times. For my own sake and also to set a good example for my daughter who wants to ride her own motorcycle someday. I have been riding for many years and have seen enough to know that a helmet, particularly a race based full face helmet, makes a very big difference in the severity of injuries in many if not most accidents. I also believe in leather jackets with reinforcements, gloves and boots. The helmet won't do anything for your feet so leave the flip flops at home.

Good on you Sean. Me too, I've seen quite a few accidents where a helmet was the deciding factor between life and death.

This is my current ride: A 2007 Honda Reflex with only 3800 miles on it.I used to do the large/loud motorcycle thing, but after pulling a muscle in my lower back years ago I had to go to something lighter. Of course the fuel economy is pretty good too. I also like the front fairing and incredible amount of storage capacity. I can store 2 full-face helmets (1 in the trunk & 1 under the seat) and still have room for a few grocery bags. Not to mention the glove box and dash cubby.

The biggest animal threat around here are deer. Man they are thick this year. Other than that, drunks coming home from the bar can always make a night time cruise interesting.

This is my current ride: A 2007 Honda Reflex with only 3800 miles on it.I used to do the large/loud motorcycle thing, but after pulling a muscle in my lower back years ago I had to go to something lighter. Of course the fuel economy is pretty good too. I also like the front fairing and incredible amount of storage capacity. I can store 2 full-face helmets (1 in the trunk & 1 under the seat) and still have room for a few grocery bags. Not to mention the glove box and dash cubby.

The biggest animal threat around here are deer. Man they are thick this year. Other than that, drunks coming home from the bar can always make a night time cruise interesting.

So, after years of living in Europe I find scooters to be one of the most practical forms of transportation and downright fun, too. You should see them dominating traffic in rush hour traffic in old French and Spanish cities! If I lived in a city I would ride one for sure.

And I agree that the most challenging riding is on Friday and Saturday nights when the drunks are out. When I buy my daughter her first motorcycle it will be in the garage during those hours.

I'm pretty sure, that for a lot of people, riding motorcycles is all about the adrenaline rush and the danger involved. If you were to eliminate the element of danger, a lot of people simply would not ride.

If you like the feeling of the wind against your body, you could just buy a convertible, and eliminate a lot of the risk involved in being on 2 wheels with little protection.

I'm pretty sure, that for a lot of people, riding motorcycles is all about the adrenaline rush and the danger involved. If you were to eliminate the element of danger, a lot of people simply would not ride.

If you like the feeling of the wind against your body, you could just buy a convertible, and eliminate a lot of the risk involved in being on 2 wheels with little protection.

Dutch, my friend, I agree. The danger factor plays alot into the initial attraction of riding and can play into how we ride and what we ride. I don't ride my Triumph Speed Triple for it's efficiency...

I will wear the gear so I can enjoy that S-curve with my knee on the ground.

I'm with you, man. Full face helmet, mesh jacket with Kevlar shoulders/elbows, jeans and good riding boots… and good gloves. I'd rather sit our in July and August here in Texas than take a chance. Spring is a no brainer. September, October and even into November, ride's pretty nice. Love the Speed Triples but I'm and old school guy who misses my Bonneville T120 This was shot when I bought her. Added some tasteful mods since then.

Wow, I love that Scrambler (I put 50k on a 2002 America). Lucifer Orange is my favorite Triumph color as well. Ride safe!I have my '66 Triumph chopper on Craigslist. Its just too unsafe (brakes, lights or lack thereof). If I can sell it, I really want to pick up a used Scrambler. That sit-up and beg riding position is just right.

Wow, I love that Scrambler (I put 50k on a 2002 America). Lucifer Orange is my favorite Triumph color as well. Ride safe!I have my '66 Triumph chopper on Craigslist. Its just too unsafe (brakes, lights or lack thereof). If I can sell it, I really want to pick up a used Scrambler. That sit-up and beg riding position is just right.

Im a fairly tall guy at 6'3"+ and the cruiser riding position kills my back. I seriously considered the new Honda CB 1100 but it wasn't retro enough… and I love the upswept pipes on the Scrambler. That being said the only other bikes I might consider adding (strictly for road trips) are a Road Glide, a Cross Country and a Rocket III.

I can't think of the last time I went on a substantial ride when someone didn't come up to me ask ask what year my Triumph is. They're shocked when I tell 'em it's an 08. The most fun I've had on a bike since my 85 VF1000R.